Los seven autonomous organs that seek to be eliminated through a constitutional reform are still contemplated by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) in the 2025 Economic Package, so they will receive, together, a budget of 4 thousand 422 million pesoswhich represents an annual cut of 16.46 percent compared to the budget approved in 2024.
In fact, with the support that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) will receive for 136 thousand 235 million pesos In 2025 it would be enough to finance the seven autonomous bodies 30 times.
In a disaggregated manner, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) will be the autonomous body that will receive the largest amount of resourcess over the next year, with a total of one thousand 680 million pesoswhich translates into an annual decrease of 4.12 percent in real terms.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI) will have a budget of 993.9 million pesos, which means an annual reduction of 13.15 percent.
For the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE), financing of 687.8 million pesos is expected for its ‘last year of life’. This budget was 4.12 percent lower than what was approved in 2024.
The National Commission for the Continuous Improvement of Education (Improvement) has a budget of 399.4 million pesos for next year, which meant a drop of 42.47 percent compared to the previous year.
In the case of National Council for Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval), 287.8 million pesos were allocated, so it will have an annual budget reduction of 32.89 percent in real terms.
Regarding the coordinated bodies in energy matters, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) will receive 199.8 million pesos while the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) will capture 173.2 million pesos, which represents annual ‘scissors’ of 32.89 percent for both cases.
Once he decree of extinction of the autonomous bodies is published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), the Congress of the Union will have a period of 90 calendar days to make the necessary adjustments to the laws.
According to the reform proposal, the functions of the COFECE will be transferred to the Ministry of Economythose of the IFT will move to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation; those of Coneval will go to National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and those of Mejoradu to the Ministry of Public Education (SEP).
The functions of the CRE and the CNH will be absorbed by the Secretary of Energywhile the responsibilities of the INAI will be allocated to various areas of the Government of Mexico, such as Public Service.
What are the key roles of autonomous bodies in Mexico’s economic landscape?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Economic Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today we have a very special guest, Dr. Aline Torres, an economist with a deep understanding of public finance and policy. We’re diving into a topic that’s been creating quite a buzz in the Mexican economic landscape: the proposed constitutional reform targeting seven autonomous bodies. Dr. Torres, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Aline Torres: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss this important subject.
Editor: Let’s start with the basics. Can you explain what these autonomous bodies are and why they’re important?
Dr. Torres: Certainly! Autonomous bodies in Mexico, like the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and the National Institute of Transparency (INAI), play crucial roles in sectors such as telecommunications, competition, and transparency. They’re designed to operate independently from the government, ensuring accountability and fairness in these areas.
Editor: Interesting. So, the Ministry of Finance has budgeted 4,422 million pesos for these bodies, which is a reduction from previous years. What do you think is driving this budget cut?
Dr. Torres: The government’s decision appears to be part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and reduce expenditure. This aligns with the administration’s focus on prioritizing certain sectors, such as Pemex, which is receiving a significant boost. The stark contrast in funding highlights where the government’s priorities lie.
Editor: Speaking of Pemex, could you elaborate on how its budget could finance these autonomous bodies thirty times over?
Dr. Torres: Pemex is receiving over 136 billion pesos in support, which underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering its oil sector. By comparison, the total budget for these seven autonomous bodies is relatively small. This provision raises pertinent questions about the government’s focus on traditional sectors over independent regulatory institutions that can promote competition and transparency.
Editor: The Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) is set to receive the largest allocation at 1,680 million pesos, but it still faces a decrease. Why is this significant?
Dr. Torres: The reduction in the IFT’s budget reflects a concerning trend. Telecommunications is a rapidly evolving sector that requires robust oversight. While the budget might seem substantial, the decrease indicates a potentially weakened capacity to enforce regulations and protect consumer rights, especially in a time of technological change.
Editor: You mentioned the budget cuts for the National Institute of Transparency (INAI) and the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE). What are the implications of these cuts?
Dr. Torres: Both INAI and COFECE are fundamental for maintaining transparency and healthy competition in the economy. The given budget cuts—13.15 percent for INAI and 4.12 percent for COFECE—may hinder their operations significantly, making it more challenging for them to address corruption and promote fair market practices. Over time, this could lead to less accountability and reduced trust among the public.
Editor: The education sector also faces a steep cut of 42.47 percent for the National Commission for the Continuous Improvement of Education. What does this imply for future educational policies?
Dr. Torres: Such a drastic reduction in education funding could have long-term negative effects on the quality of education and teacher training. Education is an essential driver of economic development, and underfunding it can slow progress and exacerbate inequalities in society.
Editor: Given the significant reductions and the proposed elimination of these bodies, what are your predictions for the future of public governance in Mexico?
Dr. Torres: If these cuts and eliminations proceed as planned, we might see a shift towards more centralized control rather than independent oversight. This could undermine democratic principles and exacerbate issues of transparency and accountability, which are crucial for a healthy democracy.
Editor: Dr. Torres, thank you for your insights into this complex situation. Your expertise sheds light on how these budgetary decisions can impact the future of Mexican governance and public policy.
Dr. Torres: Thank you for having me! It’s essential that we keep these discussions alive, as they play a critical role in shaping our society.
Editor: Absolutely! And thank you to our audience for joining us. Stay tuned for more discussions on key issues impacting our world.